The sixteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 16) will take place in Viet Nam in October 2025 with the theme “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Development”.

This according to UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan who made the announcement as the organization’s Trade and Development Board convenes for its 33rd special session in Geneva on Friday.

According to UNCTAD, the conference is UNCTAD’s highest decision-making body, where 195 member states assess current trade and development issues and formulate global policy responses. It also sets the organization’s work priorities for the next four years.

Grynspan highlighted the historic significance of this year’s conference stating that, “Viet Nam represents not just a development success story, but a testament to how trade and development can work together to transform the lives of people.”

“Asia’s rising economic influence, achievements in regional integration, and growing diplomatic leadership make Viet Nam the ideal setting to reimagine the future of global trade and development.” She added.

UNCTAD 16 is the United Nation’s major conference on trade and development, where nations come together to discuss current global trade, finance, investment and technological trends and challenges.

Heads of State, Ministers of Trade and Economy from UNCTAD’s 195 member states, Heads of international organizations, Nobel prize winning economists, leading civil society organizations, development banks, financial and global trade organizations are expected to attend UNCTAD 16.

The secretary-general spotlights 16 actions for UNCTAD16 to help nations better harness trade, investment, finance and technology for sustainable development.

The actions seek to bolster the four areas of transformation which countries agreed in 2021 through the landmark Bridgetown Covenant accelerating efforts towards: More diversified economies, inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies, abundant and stable finance for development as well as more multilateralism in a multipolar world.

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